martedì 30 dicembre 2008

Stoke City's Ricardo Fuller probably never imagined playing a part in the title race this season. The Jamaican forward probably envisaged a relegation dogfight with his Stoke team-mates.

However, after being sent off against West Ham United yesterday for slapping his own skipper Andy Griffin, he faces an automatic three match ban for violent conduct.

One of those three matches will be the FA Cup Third Round tie away at Hartlepool United on Saturday. The other two games are at home to Liverpool and away to Chelsea. Games that Stoke would not want to be without their top-scorer for, and also games that could play a real part in shaping the destination of this year's title.

Fuller has netted six times this season, including in victories over Arsenal and Aston Villa, and his absence creates a big gap for Stoke boss Tony Pulis to fill. Despite the annoyance Pulis must feel with the player though, he is expected to take no further action beyond the FA suspension other than fining the player the maximum allowed two week's wages.

The player's team-mates also seem baffled and upset by Fuller's behaviour. Defender Ryan Shawcross commented: "You can’t do that in football. It’s unacceptable. If you raise your hand to another player you’re going to get sent off.

"Are we disappointed with Ricardo? Of course. I’m not sure what it was about. It might have been disappointment with the goal but you can’t do that. We lost a game I thought we could have at least got a point from.

"We did pretty well with ten men, but we were always going to struggle. Would we have won the game if not for the sending-off? You can never say, but obviously it makes it much harder."

Fuller's dismissal may well be a turning point in the season then, and not just for Stoke City.

Saturday December 20, 2008FinishedArtemio Franchi

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Siena

Milan loan signing David Beckham has acknowledged that playing for Los Angeles Galaxy has affected his England career and said he was glad to be back at a top class side.

Beckham, who joins the Serie A club in January on a two-month loan during the US close season, flew into Milan on Saturday and completed a medical before being presented at a packed San Siro news conference full of glitz.

"I always said I'd miss playing at the highest level. I'm not saying in America they won't get to the highest level. One day it will happen," the former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder said.

"But five months off in the close season, I just can't do that, so it was important to take this opportunity. If any player is not playing or not playing at the top level, it's impossible (to play international football)."

The 33-year-old, who has 107 England caps and wants to equal Bobby Moore's outfield record of 108 caps in February's friendly with Spain, said he had not been pressured by England coach and former Milan boss Fabio Capello to join the Italian club.

"Of course I asked his advice about where I should go on loan and for how long. He literally said 'the best thing for you is to play at the highest level wherever that is'," Beckham said.

"I've played against (40-year-old captain) Paolo Maldini and I know how good he is. To be able to play with him is a great honour. I think I have already fallen in love. I love the history of great teams."

Beckham was disappointed that the transfer window meant he could only be in the stands for Sunday's home game with Udinese, where he would have had a good chance of starting given a midfield injury crisis.

"I don't expect to come in the first day and play in the team," he said. "It doesn't work like that. I know there's quite a few injuries at the moment and I'd love to be playing tomorrow night."

Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani said Beckham could maybe do the same loan next year but the player would only reaffirm that he is returning to Galaxy on March 9, even though his loan is actually until June for technical reasons.

"I'm a Galaxy player and I'll be going back. I'm sure it will be tough to leave (Milan). It is tough to leave any big club. I know as I have left two of them," he added.

He denied Milan's fame as a fashion capital was behind his move and said he would be cheering for Manchester United when they face Inter Milan in the Champions League last 16 given he is still a United fan and is now a Milan player.

His celebrity wife Victoria was sat in the front row as Beckham surprised everyone at the news conference by speaking Italian at the start.

"Good evening. It is an honour. I love Italy. I am happy," he said in decent Italian before trailing off and reverting to English.